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jobustitch's review against another edition
1.0
Really 1.5 stars, but not worth rounding up. I listened to the WHOLE THING in my car on audiobook.
Why did I listen to the whole thing? Good question. As my hatred for the insipid and whiny main character grew, I almost stopped listening. But then after I while, I found I enjoyed my eye-rolls every time the character said "Oh Ally! Oh Rolly! Oh...yada yada yada!" It was cathartic for me to yell at the book on CD. Lots of f-bombs, who cares, and STFU!!!!!
The bottom line: the writing was poor, the characters were one dimensional (maybe even half-dimensional...is that possible?), the mysteries sucked, and the main character was a whiny twit. There was not one character that I cared about and I even cheered the couple of times that the main character was in danger. I was hoping for her demise so that the book would end! That is never a good sign.
Why did I listen to the whole thing? Good question. As my hatred for the insipid and whiny main character grew, I almost stopped listening. But then after I while, I found I enjoyed my eye-rolls every time the character said "Oh Ally! Oh Rolly! Oh...yada yada yada!" It was cathartic for me to yell at the book on CD. Lots of f-bombs, who cares, and STFU!!!!!
The bottom line: the writing was poor, the characters were one dimensional (maybe even half-dimensional...is that possible?), the mysteries sucked, and the main character was a whiny twit. There was not one character that I cared about and I even cheered the couple of times that the main character was in danger. I was hoping for her demise so that the book would end! That is never a good sign.
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this series. I love the characters, and particularly Adelia. I love the pacing, the mysteries, the historical setting. I love Henry II, even though he drives me batty sometimes.
What I really don't love is Rowley. In previous books, I sort of managed to put up with him - he manages to be less annoying as the plot thickens, and he generally isn't around much before then.
The reason I dislike Rowley is this: he doesn't love Adelia. Not really. He hates all the parts of her that she cherishes. He hates that she is a doctor. He hates that she is educated. He hates that she is driven to seek out truth. He wants her to be a typical fainting lady. He expected her to give up her whole life to marry him and while away her life in his manor somewhere, sheltered and bored. And he will never forgive her for saying no.
Why does he think he loves her? He hates everything that makes her who she is. And even worse, why does Adelia - wonderful, brilliant, just warrior that she is - think she loves him? She deserves better. Because in the end, that's what it boils down to for me:
Rowley doesn't deserve her. Not by a mile.
I'd frankly rather see her with Henry. At least Henry appreciates her. Realizes how incredible she is, what a gift she has. Recognizes that it can't be, SHOULDN'T be, cast away. Of course, Henry II and Adelia will never end up together - that would cross too many lines in historical fiction, something that Franklin works hard not to do in this series. But regardless, Henry would be better for her than Rowley, stupid Rowley who can't appreciate her, and just wants to make her something that she isn't. And this book made me angry, in the end, because Adelia changed her mind and agreed to try to be something she isn't, for HIM. Stupid, condescending, ignorant, pompous Rowley.
I hope it doesn't ruin the series for me. *sigh*
What I really don't love is Rowley. In previous books, I sort of managed to put up with him - he manages to be less annoying as the plot thickens, and he generally isn't around much before then.
The reason I dislike Rowley is this: he doesn't love Adelia. Not really. He hates all the parts of her that she cherishes. He hates that she is a doctor. He hates that she is educated. He hates that she is driven to seek out truth. He wants her to be a typical fainting lady. He expected her to give up her whole life to marry him and while away her life in his manor somewhere, sheltered and bored. And he will never forgive her for saying no.
Why does he think he loves her? He hates everything that makes her who she is. And even worse, why does Adelia - wonderful, brilliant, just warrior that she is - think she loves him? She deserves better. Because in the end, that's what it boils down to for me:
Rowley doesn't deserve her. Not by a mile.
I'd frankly rather see her with Henry. At least Henry appreciates her. Realizes how incredible she is, what a gift she has. Recognizes that it can't be, SHOULDN'T be, cast away. Of course, Henry II and Adelia will never end up together - that would cross too many lines in historical fiction, something that Franklin works hard not to do in this series. But regardless, Henry would be better for her than Rowley, stupid Rowley who can't appreciate her, and just wants to make her something that she isn't. And this book made me angry, in the end, because Adelia changed her mind and agreed to try to be something she isn't, for HIM. Stupid, condescending, ignorant, pompous Rowley.
I hope it doesn't ruin the series for me. *sigh*
lydiadrodgers's review against another edition
4.0
This series is so good. I just love Adelia! And Franklin’s portrayal of Henry II is just perfect. So fun!
cosmith2015's review against another edition
3.0
Good:
Ms. Franklin really does do a great job with plots. This is her 3rd book in the Mistress of the Art of Death and each book was unique and had its own story. I particularly liked the inclusion of the legend of Arthur. I appreciate that Ms. Franklin didn't go heavy handed with the myth and embellish it more than it already has been.
Ms. Franklin does do a good job with the "villains" of the series. They each have their own reasons for behaving the way they do. This time the villain was deemed "mad", but I think it was more out of loyalty than any mental illness.
Bad: The writing is still awkward feeling, but not as much as in the first book. At the end of the book she notated that she gave her characters a modern lingo due to the wide variety of languages her characters would have used (English, Norman French, and Latin) if they had existed. However, the way the characters spoke was not modern. It was not even conversational modern English. Examples include using the word "her" instead of "she" and the word "un" (which I still haven't even figured out what it really means).
The romance between Adelia and Rowley is getting old. Rowley treats Adelia with little respect. I feel the only reason he "loves" Adelia is because she is the one thing he can't have. I don't know what Adelia sees in Rowley. Also, why on earth isn't Rowley providing for Adelia? It's clear the King isn't paying her money to stay (another irksome point) and whilst she does take care of villagers, that wouldn't always be enough. Even if she wouldn't take the money for herself, she would take it for her daughter.
My last grievance with the book is the way it ended regarding Arthur.. The body they found name was Arthur. If the Abbey had stated "we have the body of Arthur here and his lover!" that wouldn't be a lie, now wouldn't it?
Ms. Franklin really does do a great job with plots. This is her 3rd book in the Mistress of the Art of Death and each book was unique and had its own story. I particularly liked the inclusion of the legend of Arthur. I appreciate that Ms. Franklin didn't go heavy handed with the myth and embellish it more than it already has been.
Ms. Franklin does do a good job with the "villains" of the series. They each have their own reasons for behaving the way they do. This time the villain was deemed "mad", but I think it was more out of loyalty than any mental illness.
Bad: The writing is still awkward feeling, but not as much as in the first book. At the end of the book she notated that she gave her characters a modern lingo due to the wide variety of languages her characters would have used (English, Norman French, and Latin) if they had existed. However, the way the characters spoke was not modern. It was not even conversational modern English. Examples include using the word "her" instead of "she" and the word "un" (which I still haven't even figured out what it really means).
The romance between Adelia and Rowley is getting old. Rowley treats Adelia with little respect. I feel the only reason he "loves" Adelia is because she is the one thing he can't have. I don't know what Adelia sees in Rowley. Also, why on earth isn't Rowley providing for Adelia? It's clear the King isn't paying her money to stay (another irksome point) and whilst she does take care of villagers, that wouldn't always be enough. Even if she wouldn't take the money for herself, she would take it for her daughter.
My last grievance with the book is the way it ended regarding Arthur.. The body they found name was Arthur. If the Abbey had stated "we have the body of Arthur here and his lover!" that wouldn't be a lie, now wouldn't it?
macboone's review against another edition
4.0
Franklin takes on the Arthurian legend, when Henry II sends Adelia to Glastonbury to determine whether a pair of skeletons are those of Guenivere and Arthur. Twists and turns, engaging characters. Love the complicated relationship between Adelia and Rowley.
readingjag's review against another edition
3.0
Another decent entry in this series. The author's notes at the end do a good job of smoothing over some anachronisms.
cransell's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kraley's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books. The first was a little slow going for me, but I loved it once I got into it. For this one, I was excited for another Corey into King Henry's England. I love being taught "history" through literature. Franklin can write and describe with the best of them. I love books where I can smell the grass and feel the rain on my face. Lots of twists and all my favorite characters are here. I do miss Young Olf(?) though.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
I have been reading this series for awhile. At first, I wasn’t sure I bought the premise, but the books are rich with historical details and the forensics information available at the time, and Ariana is a likeable heroine. The romance is played down in favor of action and suspense. If you like a good historical mystery, you’ll probably enjoy these books.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/grave-goods/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/grave-goods/